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Vegetable Growing : Site and Soil
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Ashes from burning dry twigs
Rather than throwing ashes in the bin can I use them to grow vegetables in a raised bed? The ashes are those derived from burning dry wood cuttings (raspberry canes, pruned branches etc.) How deep should the raised bed be? Can I use a base of 8 cm polystyrene sheets to build it up to a convenient height?
marcopolo, Clondalkin, Co Dublin Posted: 15/02/2012
Wood ashes contain useful amounts of potash and can be spread around fruiting and flowering plants., and will benefit vegetables too.
A raised bed is only useful if the soil is heavy and tends to need a ot of watering on normal or light soil. A height of 15 to 25cm is lots.
Layers of polysterene would restrict the roots and increase a drought problem.